UNITAR has joined the European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning – EFQUEL as a full member, integrating a network of over 70 institutions. EFQUEL main areas of activities are on the promotion of quality in learning and in the use of knowledge, information and learning technologies, including the coordination of quality initiatives and research in learning and e-learning. By joining EFQUEL, UNITAR seeks to benefit from the expertise of the network, particularly in quality standards and certification schemes for online training.

EFQUEL and InWent have recently launched the OPEN ECB Check Project, a new accreditation and quality improvement scheme for e-learning programmes in international capacity building. ECBCheck will support capacity building organizations to measure the quality of their e-learning programmes to allow for continuous improvement through peer-to-peer collaboration and benchmarking. The project is being developed through an innovative and participative process, involving several organizations from various regions in the world, including international certification bodies, national accreditation authorities, universities, and international organizations.

UNITAR, as a member of the Advisory Board of the Open ECBCheck, is actively participating in this consultative process, which is now in the process of validating the evaluation criteria and discussing the governance structure for the quality certification scheme. The next meeting of the Board is taking place just before the e-Learning Africa Conference (27 – 29 May, Dakar) and will discuss the governance model of the quality certification, agree on the level of certification and decide on the organizational framework for the quality scheme.